Mick McCarthy says Wolves won't be cannon fodder at the Emirates

02 Apr 2010 15:30:45

Won't lie down: Mick McCarthy
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has vowed that his team will not be cannon fodder for title-chasing Arsenal in their Barclays Premier League encounter at the Emirates on Saturday.
Outside of the Wolves camp, McCarthy accepts no-one will give his side any chance at all against a free-scoring Arsenal outfit who have won 20 of their 24 home games this season.
However, Wolves head into the match in confident mood.
They are unbeaten in four games and could be facing Arsenal at just the right time following their midweek exertions against Barcelona and the absence of Cesc Fabregas, William Gallas and Andrey Arshavin.
McCarthy said: 'We aren't going down there with any other thoughts than we want to stop them beating us.
'I am pleased with the way we have been playing but nobody outside me, my team and the staff is expecting us to get anything at Arsenal.
'I want to go there and get something. I have got no interest in going there and just looking at the ground. We know Arsenal are one of the three teams that could win the league this season so it will be a hard game for us.
'But we have given hope to ourselves because of the way that we have been playing and I always travel full of hope, optimism and belief that we can get something.
'It is certainly better for us to be going there in the form we are in now, rather than us going there playing lousy and with Arsenal on top form and having everyone fit.
Top form: Wolves have enjoyed a recent resurgence to pull clear of the drop zone
'We are also certainly more consistent than we were when we played Arsenal the first time. I think we have more experience and we are a better team after being involved in 32 Premier League games.
'It doesn't mean to say we will get anything out of it because Arsenal are a terrific side and, if they play as well as they can, it will be a difficult afternoon.
'They have got a quality squad and I am sure that Mr Wenger will rotate it as he deems fit. They have great movement but we took a point off Everton last weekend, who I think are a top-four side, so we can do it.
'Perhaps Arsenal are feeling a bit tired and they have got a few injuries. But if you are looking at me for an outpouring of sympathy for Arsenal, don't, because it won't be forthcoming.
'They will be thinking they have got a good enough squad to take care of Wolves, that's for sure. But we will play the same way we have been playing recently and see what happens.'
Wolves have moved five points clear of the relegation zone after taking eight points from their last four games, but McCarthy is not taking anything for granted.
He added: 'We are better placed than a number of other teams and our last four games have put pressure on other people.
'But it has not taken it off us as we still need points. We are not safe with what we have got.'
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